Reducing Racial Disparities
Addressing Extreme Prematurity
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To address extreme prematurity in Cuyahoga County, we at First Year Cleveland have launched Learning Circles with birth hospitals and experts.
One of the most effective and collaborative forms of group discussion is the Learning Circle method.
A Learning Circle is a group of individuals with a common interest who meet regularly to talk about a certain topic. Learning Circle discussions are intended to do the following:
At First Year Cleveland (FYC), we have witnessed the impact of group work and discussions through our Action Teams and the CenteringPregnancy model. We know that group discussions can save lives.
For this reason, and in an attempt to collect data, we have launched Learning Circles with local birth hospitals and experts to address extreme prematurity.
At FYC, our Action Teams tackle the challenges that contribute to infant mortality. The focus of FYC Action Team 4, co-led by Rita Horwitz of Better Health Partnership and Dr. Brian Mercer of The MetroHealth System, is to reduce prematurity by coordinating Learning Circle programs comprised of individuals from the following groups: health care practitioners; researchers; birthing experts and other thought leaders who are knowledgeable of preterm birth rates, the correlation of racial disparities and premature birth, extreme prematurity in Cuyahoga County and more.
In the Learning Circle programs, FYC Action Team 4 and participating group members discuss the following topics to address extreme prematurity in Cuyahoga County:
Through Learning Circle programs, participants are identifying ways in which extreme prematurity in Cuyahoga County can be reduced — and help more babies see their first birthday.
In September 2020, FYC Action Team 4 presented an update on their work to date, including three quality improvement interventions. You can read more about their work and findings here.
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